wrinkled my nose. “Gah. I had to go and make it weird.”
“You always do.” He rested his forehead against mine. “It’s one of the things I like best about you.”
“That I’m weird?”
His eyes sparkled. “Yes.”
“Then you’re in luck.” I flung my arms around his neck and hid my grimace. “I was blessed with a lifetime supply.”
“A lifetime sounds good.” He took me by the elbows and lowered my arms gently. “Where do I sign up?”
“I’ll have my people call your people. They can fax over the details.” Smiling, I started down the stairs from the loft into the living room. “Ignore the fine print, and I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
As soon as my feet touched the downstairs floor, Midas was there, hemming me in.
“You’re not scaring me off, Hadley.” He ducked his head to put us at eye level. “I mean it.”
“I know you do.” But it was hard to believe he knew what he was getting himself into with me.
Voice low and gritty, his jaw set, he asked, “Do you think you can ever trust me again?”
“I do trust you.” I did my best to let him read it on my face. “I also worry one day you’ll regret this.”
Regret me.
“Do you know how many one days have passed since I came home?” He drew back, and his past darkened his eyes. “You know what dating was like for me. You saw me at Joelle’s.” He cupped my face in his hands. “Do you think I would choose another decade of staring out a window across from a stranger over you?”
“I have issues.” I bet that shocked him to his core. “Mostly in the self-esteem department.”
“I’ve noticed,” he said carefully. “I don’t understand them, but I want to, when you’re ready.”
A knock on the glass ruined the moment, but Bishop was clearly tired of waiting on me.
Supernatural hearing meant he might as well have pulled up a chair to listen to us pour out our hearts. Linus might not have gotten around to making copies of the penthouse key to pass around, but it was clear Bishop had no qualms in climbing the fire escape to achieve the same direct access. Along with everyone else.
“That’s my cue.” I backed away from Midas. “Do you get more privacy at the den?”
“You’ve been to the den.” He quirked an eyebrow. “What do you think?”
“I hear it’s nice.” I mashed the button to raise the curtains. “Or that’s the rumor.”
“I’ve heard the same rumors.”
“Well?” I flung open the window on Bishop. “Where do you stand on privacy?”
“Currently, I’m standing on the fire escape of the woman who would be potentate.” He climbed in and shut it behind him. “Anyone who lobbies for an office can expect to pay for it with their privacy.” He flicked Midas a glance. “Same goes for anyone born into a dynasty.”
Squinting at Bishop, I got the drift. “You’re saying I only have myself to blame for this.”
“Pretty much.” He shrugged. “You can walk away.” He stared at me earnestly. “There’s still time.”
Curious about the tension in his shoulders, I wondered out loud, “Is that what you think I should do?”
“Hell no.” He ruffled my hair. “Who else would sign off on my expenditures?”
“You’re talking about the flamethrowers again, aren’t you?”
“I will never not be talking about the flamethrowers. If we had to campaign for you like the mundanes do, I would have cartoon versions printed on your propaganda.” He slung his arm around my shoulders. “Seriously, kid. I’m glad you’re okay. You’re what this city needs right now.” He wrinkled his nose. “You smell crispy.” He withdrew. “Are you going to work in your pajamas or what?”
The reminder I had to buy clothes at some point unless I wanted to wear my remaining outfit, which was dirty, until it fell apart at the seams wasn’t entirely unwelcome. Now that Midas and I had ironed out a few wrinkles, I could picture us trying this cohabitation thing long-term. That meant I needed cute undies. And, you know, shirts and stuff. But mostly sexy sleep attire to coax him out of his pants…and into mine.
“Actually, yes.” I wrinkled my nose at him. “I’ll have to borrow some sweats to go shopping in.”
The fresh reminder as my hair crunched when I pushed it out of my face made me regret the earlier cuddling session as I absorbed the gorgeous blond with warm, blue eyes on mine. The smell had to be eye-watering for him. “See you at dusk?”
“I’ll be here.”
After